title: Prediction of non-SN involvement in patients with SN isolated tumor cells or micrometastases.
abstract: Sentinel lymph node biopsy has allowed improved staging of the axilla with reduced morbidity in breast cancer patients. However, as with any new technology there are questions as to how to best implement the technique into clinical practice. Changes in the staging system for breast cancer have incorporated sentinel lymph node biopsy findings, resulting in questions as to how to manage the remainder of the axilla when there is low volume disease in the sentinel lymph nodes. The use of the sentinel lymph node to predict additional positive nodes and to direct surgical management of the axilla and adjuvant systemic and radiation therapy is reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pesce
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Balch
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jacobs
mesh_terms: D001365:Axilla; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009360:Neoplastic Cells, Circulating / Q000473:pathology*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012306:Risk; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D016019:Survival Analysis